Bhubaneswar, Mar 30: Today the Orissa High Court denied to approve the State government’s amendment to rule 51 of Odisha Zilla Parishad Election Rules of 1994 and termed the process as ‘unconstitutional’. After the hearing on the petition filed by the BJP Zilla Parishad member challenging the government’s decision, the HC announced the same. Had the rule been amended, the authorized agents, appointed by the political parties and election officers would have got the liscence to verify the votes being cast by the elected member of their respective parties. But the BJP moved the court alleging that the amendment is part of BJD’s political interest and apprehension is that its elected Zilla Parishad members may not vote from the party’s chosen nominees for presidents and vice-presidents of the district councils.
